‘Death Ray’ Used by Ukraine Against Russian Troops

More than a million people have watched online video of what looks to be a hit on Russian soldiers by an unidentified weapon. The video that is going viral on Twitter shows soldiers wandering across fields while some are clearly injured before being hit by a weapon or bullet.

The comment, which mentioned a “death ray,” led to online rumours about the equipment depicted in the video clip. The uploader and other Twitter users speculated that the video might depict a Stugna-P, a Ukrainian anti-tank guided missile weapon system. The Stugna-P, also known as its export version’s “Skif,” is intended to take out helicopters and armoured targets, according to its maker.

With a maximum range of slightly over three miles and a speed of 200 metres per second, the Stugna-P missile system, according to Ukrainian forces, has been used to shoot down Russian helicopters on numerous occasions.

According to David Hambling, a military technology specialist, the video looked to show an explosively formed projectile (EFP), which is “a version of a shaped charge which launches a slug of metal at great speed.” He continued that they are frequently employed as anti-armor weapons and can be recognised by the “distinctive smoke trail” they create in the atmosphere.

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However, Hambling contended that paying great attention to the pattern and the way “the smoke trail looks to move away from the explosion” may reveal that it was likely a shaped charge, such as a HEAT warhead, that was “may well be delivered by a Stugna.”

Contrary to Javelin anti-tank missiles, the Stugna-P is a “relatively low-cost” device that can be used by Ukrainian forces to engage groups of infantry, according to Hambling. “There is specific anti-personnel ammo for the Stugna with higher explosion effect, but this may not be available, and operators use what they have in their possession,” he stated.

The weapon in the video is “precise and discharges swiftly,” but Ret. Col. Mark F. Cancian of the think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies said he couldn’t be convinced of its identity.

He claimed that the video shows that the target is being watched and tracked, and he ruled out artillery as a viable explanation because of the too-low angle of attack. He continued, “Also, the attacks looked to emanate from different directions,” before ruling out a mine due to the smoke trail as the reason of what was shown on camera. He speculated that it might be a drone of some sort that approaches its target and fires a rocket.